AN exciting line-up of Pakistani superstars, designers, comedians and theatre performers will take to the stage in Bahrain later this year.

They will arrive for separate events as part of a major cultural initiative being organised by the Pakistan Embassy, in an attempt to educate Bahrainis on a wide variety of Pakistani arts.

The list of talents includes three Bollywood stars, internationally acclaimed fashion designer Nilofer Shahid and a variety of theatre groups, in addition to renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Details of the plans were revealed by Pakistan Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, who is personally interested in enhancing cultural diplomacy between the two countries.

“Cultural exchange is very important for developing relations between our countries. It helps to promote understanding,” he told the GDN.

“I want to catalyse and stimulate the level of Pakistani cultural attractions coming to Bahrain.

“I am eager to make the rest of the year jam-packed with cultural events.

“We just had a concert in Bahrain where we brought the youngest Pakistani rock band to perform, but there is a lot more to come.

“Some of the superstars we are trying to bring to Bahrain are Ali Zafar, who is an actor and singer, and Atif Aslam who is a very popular rock star.

“Probably the biggest name that we are working on bringing here is Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who is very famous in Pakistan, and even more so in India as most of these stars have made it big in Bollywood.”

Mr Saleem said English-speaking artists will also be flown in to attract a wider audience.

“We are planning to bring all these stars before the end of the year, but the dates are not confirmed yet,” he explained.

“It is not just musicians and actors who are coming.

“We are planning to bring top fashion designer Nilofer Shahid – who has become famous around the world – to do a fashion show in Bahrain.

“We are also trying to bring comedian Umer Sharif.
“Most of the shows are targeted towards people who speak Hindi, but we are bringing in theatre groups that mostly perform in English.
“But, as with opera music that doesn’t always have to be understood but just felt, I hope people will give all the acts a chance.”
Dates and venues for all performances will be announced soon.
ahmed@gdn.com.bh